Delimitation debate: How India’s political map could have changed

India stands on the edge of a massive redrawing of its political map. Even with the recent defeat of the delimitation bill, its spectre will continue to linger, threatening to permanently shift the balance of power in Parliament. In one move, the number of Lok Sabha MPs could jump from 543 to 850 – a change that isn't just about adding seats, but about a fundamental redistribution of power between states, and even between the two Houses of Parliament.

The recently defeated delimitation bill stated that the exercise would be conducted in accordance with the census. Home Minister Amit Shah even reassured Parliament that southern states wouldn't suffer. He gave a breakdown of how (the number of) seats would be drawn. But this was just a verbal assurance. Not written into the law. 

If the government was going to rely on the census, why didn’t they draft the bill in line with Amit Shah’s assurance? And why was the TDP okay with a verbal assurance?  Remember, this is the same party that moved a no-confidence motion in 2018, after the Modi government failed to fulfil its assurance of giving Andhra Pradesh a special package.

The real question is not just how many seats are added.

It is this: Who gains power, who quietly loses it, and what happens to the balance of power in Parliament itself? Let me explain.

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This analysis was republished from The News Minute as part of The News Minute-Newslaundry alliance. Read about our partnership here and become a subscriber here.